Tips To Prevent Slips And Falls In Seniors
Slips and falls are hazardous for us all – but they can be especially painful and dangerous for the elderly. Therefore, preventing falls in seniors is key to keeping them safe at home, for the long term. We offer home care in Burlington, Oakville, and Mississauga, and one of our goals is reducing the risk of slips and falls. Here are some of our best tips for fall prevention in the elderly.
Reducing Fall Risk At Home
First, you can start by limiting tripping hazards and offering balance support throughout the home.
In order to remove trip hazards, consider the following tips:
- Remove carpets or tape their edges down.
- Clear walkways throughout the home, especially near the stairs.
- Secure bathmats to the floor, with tape.
- Do not leave clutter on the floor.
- Move lawn ornaments near walkways.
- Fill cracks in the sidewalk, stone walkway, and/or interlocking patio.
- Move pet beds out of walkways.
- Check chairs and tables for stability.
- Move extension cords to the edge of rooms or run them along the wall.
Next, offer support and non-slip surfaces, such as:
- Handrails next to the toilet.
- Non-slip surfaces in the bathroom and tub.
- Seat in a shower and handrails beside it.
- Handrails next to the front steps.
- Seating along walkways, like in the backyard.
- Canes.
- Walkers.
If your senior could benefit from a cane or walker, be sure the device is fitted to them properly, so it offers optimal support.
Health & Wellness For Fall Prevention
The second part of senior fall prevention is health and wellness. If you can increase your strength, balance, and flexibility you’ll be less likely to fall and less likely to suffer serious injury when you do. Trying new exercises can help you maintain or develop these physical skills. While you should always run new exercises by your doctor, you may consider these to help prevent falls:
- Strength training.
- Tai-Chi.
- Yoga for seniors.
- Walking.
- Dancing.
If you have osteopenia or osteoporosis it may be helpful for you to maintain or increase your bone density; doing so may mean you’re less likely to suffer major injuries if you fall. Many bone-density exercise classes are available from physiotherapists or at senior centers.
Seek Professional Help
Need help preventing falls in seniors? Our trained care providers are well versed in fall prevention for the elderly. We can help you keep your home free of slip and fall hazards, from cleaning up clutter to installing handrails. Contact us today to speak with one of our Home Care Specialists.